Rhode Island may not be a very big state, but you can still rack up a very long driving record if you aren’t heeding the rules of the road. It’s important to periodically check your Rhode Island driving record so you can see exactly what your insurance carrier sees when it assigns rates or what your employer may see when checking on your background. Obtaining a copy of your Rhode Island driving record is simple, and the following tips can help.
Why Should You Obtain Your Rhode Island Driving Record?
Drivers with excellent records often obtain a copy of their driving record to guard against identity theft. Monitoring your record also allows you to keep track of any citations or convictions you may have incurred. Some drivers may need to present their driving record at court. Although some employers will check into driving records on their own, others may request employees to present their own driving records each year. If you believe that you being charged higher insurance rates than you should, you should consider checking into your driving record to make sure everything reported is accurate.
Overview of Rhode Island Driving Records
Rhode Island’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) keeps track of the state’s driving records. Rhode Island driving records list three years’ worth of citations, accidents, restrictions, etc…
RI Violation System
Rhode Island does not have a points system. Instead, it imposes heavy restrictions or expensive fines, along with court fees and a long license revocation period. Drivers may also be required to attend driver improvement programs.
Three years’ worth of data stays on an RI driving record, but some items will be listed on the record much longer, such as violations that involve a school bus, refusals to submit to chemical testing, and accidents. Meanwhile, minor traffic violations will fall off the record after three years.
If you accumulate too many minor traffic offenses or commit some major violations, any or a combination of the following may occur:
- Court-imposed driver improvement course completion
- Driver’s license suspension, cancelation, or revocation
- Driving restrictions
- Increase in insurance rates
- Payment of reinstatement fees
- Traffic court and DMV fines
Driving Record Types
Rhode Island offers two types of driving records that drivers can obtain: a non-certified and certified driving record.
The non-certified driving record does not include any personal information except the name of the driver. The non-certified record can also be accessed online.
The certified driving record contains personal information such as birth date, social security number, and the driver’s address.
Rhode Island strictly controls who can access the certified record; in most cases, the driver is the only person who may obtain this type of Rhode Island driving record.
View a sample of an RI Driving Record here.
Obtaining Your Rhode Island Driving Record
Drivers can order their Rhode Island driving record in person, online, or by mail. To obtain your record in person, you can visit the DMV’s motor records page located here. Fill out the required information such as your name, birth date, and driver’s license number. The fee to access this report is $19.50.
To order your Rhode Island driving record by mail, you can send a written request that includes your name, date of birth, license number, and address to:
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles
Operator Control
600 New London Avenue
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
The fee to obtain your driving record via the mail is $17.50. You may pay this fee by check or money order. When paying online for your online record, you can pay with a major credit card.
You can also obtain a copy of your driving record online through the DMV website. Not only is it convenient, but it is also the fastest way to get a copy of your certified report.
What you need:
- A credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) to pay the $20.50 driving record fee.
- Your last name, date of birth, and the zip code that appears on your license
- Your driver’s license number: This 7-digit number can be found at the top of your license.
After providing the above information, simply check the box that certifies that you are the driver requesting a driving record, or that someone has authorized you to request their driving record.
Once the system verifies your payment, you will be able to download and print a copy of your certified RI driving record.
Check Your Driving Report for Errors
Errors are not prevalent on Rhode Island driving records but they do occur. When you receive your report, be sure to read it to ensure that it contains no errors. Mistakes on your driving record can lead to higher insurance premiums and may even impact your employment. If you spot an error, you should call or visit your nearest DMV to have it corrected. After the mistake is fixed, you should get in touch with your insurer to make certain that your rates have not been adversely affected by the mistake. If you have been driving well for several years and have not had any violations, you can also request the DMV to drop certain violations from your record. They may not oblige you, but they do offer a process by which drivers can formally ask for various items to be dropped from the driving record.
Obtaining your driving record is important for keeping tabs on your driving. Viewing this record allows you to see what others may be reading about you. If your employer or the courts request your driving record, you can use these tips to obtain your certified or non-certified copy of your driving history. If you have any other questions related to your particular Rhode Island driving record, contact the Rhode Island DMV for further information.